Classical Guitar Lessons

Nate Richards performing at Settlement Music School Philadelphia.

Classical Guitar Lessons At Richards Guitar Studio

Richards Guitar Studio offers the highest quality authentic classical guitar lessons in the Tri-State area. Our classical teachers hold music degrees from such schools as West Chester University and Duquesne University. Nate Richards, the owner, is currently in his final semester obtaining his master’s degree in classical guitar performance from WCU.

We prepare students for college auditions and entrance exams, as well as train classical players to perform in competitions and festivals. We LOVE teaching the classical guitar hobbyist who simply has the passion and enthusiasm for classical music that we share here at RGS!

Benefits for Electric and Acoustic Guitarists

Absolutely the BEST THING that I have ever done to improve my rock/metal/modern guitar playing was learning classical guitar!!! After a year of classical training, my electric playing skyrocketed! There is no possible way I could do the things I do today on my electric guitar if I hadn’t taken classical guitar lessons and music theory classes.

Randy Rhoads sight reading classical guitar music

Ever hear of Randy Rhoads from Ozzy Osbourne? Randy Rhoads studied classical music at his mother’s music school, and even took a classical guitar lesson in each city he visited while on tour with Ozzy to keep his chops up! Heard of Chris Broderick from Megadeth? He has a college degree in classical guitar performance. Jamie Foxx? OK – Jamie Foxx was trained in classical piano as a child, but you get the idea. There are many many more great guitarists with classical music in their backgrounds, such as Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, John Petrucci, Yngwie Malmsteen, and on and on.

The theory you learn on the fretboard while learning a classical instrument is invaluable. It crosses over to every other style of music, as well as songwriting and improvising. For me personally, the classical guitar was the piece that married together my electric guitar technique on one hand, and my written music theory knowledge on the other hand. It gave me the freedom to play whatever I wanted, and understand how music really works on the guitar.